The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team finished the 2024-25 season with a 23-11 overall record and a 13-7 mark in conference play during their inaugural campaign in the Big Ten. Led by head coach Mick Cronin, the squad secured a fourth-place finish in the rigorous conference, earned a spot in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals, and captured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. After dispatching Utah State in the opening round, the Bruins bowed out in the second round against Tennessee.
This campaign marked a significant rebound from a difficult previous year, leaning on a rebuilt roster that combined veteran transfers with elite collegiate experience and hard-nosed defensive execution.
Roster Construction and Key Player Statistics
Mick Cronin reshaped his roster ahead of the 2024-25 season by adding proven production from the transfer portal alongside foundational returners. The combination produced a balanced rotation where multiple players shared the offensive load.
Junior forward Tyler Bilodeau emerged as the offensive focal point after transferring to Westwood. Bilodeau led the team with 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, anchoring the frontcourt with high efficiency inside and reliable mid-range shooting.
Eric Dailey Jr. provided critical athleticism and secondary scoring in his sophomore season. Dailey averaged 11.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest, giving the Bruins a versatile forward capable of defending multiple positions.
In the backcourt, guard Sebastian Mack contributed 9.6 points per game, maintaining his reputation as an aggressive slasher who drew fouls and applied ball pressure. Transfer guard Skyy Clark added 8.5 points and 2.7 assists per game, running sections of the offense and spacing the floor.
Kobe Johnson, a high-profile transfer from rival USC, became the defensive catalyst for Cronin. Johnson averaged 7.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, routinely shutting down opponent perimeter threats and cleaning up the defensive glass.
Dylan Andrews managed the point guard duties, putting up 6.9 points and a team-high 3.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, seven-foot-three center Aday Mara contributed 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds, altering shots in the paint and offering a unique vertical presence.
Additional rotation minutes came from Lazar Stefanovic (4.7 points per game) and freshman Trent Perry (3.7 points per game), who provided steady perimeter minutes off the bench.
Transition to the Big Ten Conference
Moving from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten presented an immediate physical adjustment for UCLA. The schedule featured hostile road environments and punishing interior play against traditional conference powerhouses.
The Bruins handled the transition well, finishing 13-7 in conference games and establishing a home-court advantage inside Pauley Pavilion where they went 15-2. Highlights of the conference schedule included gritty road wins against Indiana and Northwestern, alongside a statement home victory over Michigan State.
Cronin's squad ran into physical roadblocks against elite conference tier opponents like Purdue and Illinois, where depth and size inside tested the Bruins' defensive limits. Yet, the team's ability to win close, low-scoring games proved that Cronin's defensive identity traveled successfully to the Midwest.
Team Statistical Profile and Playing Style
The 2024-25 Bruins played true to a Mick Cronin archetype: defense-first, low-turnover, and methodical on offense.
- Scoring Offense: UCLA averaged 74.2 points per game, placing them in the middle tier nationally, but made up for raw volume with high efficiency.
- Scoring Defense: Allowing just 65.2 points per game, the Bruins ranked among the top tier of defenses in Division I, holding opponents to 42.7 percent shooting from the field.
- Ball Security: UCLA excelled at taking care of the basketball, committing only 10.6 turnovers per game against 16.3 assists, yielding a strong 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.
- Rebounding Margin: The Bruins grabbed 32.6 boards per contest, securing a modest plus-1.2 rebounding margin over opponents through collective team effort rather than raw individual dominance.
Postseason Run and NCAA Tournament Summary
UCLA entered March with momentum after securing the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Following a quarterfinal loss to Wisconsin, the selection committee awarded the Bruins a No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region of the Big Mountain NCAA Tournament.
In the first round, UCLA dismantled Utah State 72-47 behind stifling defense that held the Aggies under 30 percent shooting. The second round paired the Bruins against a physical Tennessee team. UCLA fought through a rugged defensive battle before falling 67-58, closing the book on a resilient postseason run.
You can check official archived statistics and player logs directly on the UCLA Bruins Official Athletics Site or review historical data on Sports Reference CBB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the leading scorer for UCLA in the 2024-25 season?
Tyler Bilodeau led the Bruins in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game after transferring into the program.
What was UCLA's record in their first Big Ten season?
The Bruins finished the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 23-11 and a 13-7 record in conference play.
How far did UCLA advance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?
UCLA earned a No. 7 seed, defeated Utah State in the first round, and lost to Tennessee in the second round of the Midwest Region.
Who was the head coach of the UCLA men's basketball team?
Mick Cronin served as head coach, completing his sixth season leading the program.
